Anne: I am also very happy you are coming to Japan and we can meet there!
Kyle: Thank you for thinking about me playing as a Bachidoist. The duty sincerely accepted.
Theres no way I can make now, plus I’m still resting my arm, not played since august 
I will be there in 2014 though, I wont miss it again!!!
Kyoko-san, how exciting that you’ll be participating this time. Although I won’t be in Japan at taikai time, I will be there later in May for three or four weeks. I was planning to come to Nagoya for a few days. (It has such excellent kimono shopping!!! 
) So if you like, maybe we can meet when I’m there…? And I may try to go to one of your friend Sato Yukiki-san’s events, too, if they happen while I’m in Tokyo ().
Liam:
So sorry to know you still have to rest your arm. I understand how much you want to play the instrument.
However, you can practice through your ears and brains while you are away from it.
There is a Japanese violinist who once suffered from finger inflammation like you do, and she had a very hard time. But while she could not play violin, she listened to a lot of different kind of music and and opened her musical perspective so wide. She is successful as a professional violinist now.
Btw, Agatsuma Hiromitsu was in Nagoya yesterday and on TV. The show offered us one Shamisen play entitled WONDER – maybe his newest music — and rest of the time MC interviewed him. At the end of the program, Agatsuma gave a message for people over the world, saying "Please visit Japan and enjoy Tsugaru Samisen.
The message is for you, Liam! ------- messenger Kyoko
Linda-san!!! It is so exciting we can meet up in Nagoya. And probably in Tokyo at Yukiki’s event which is regularly on the third Saturday. I have been trying to join in the event and still unable to get a chance. So let’s hope we can make it while you are in Japan.
And going to Nagoya is much easier for me, only one hour by train, and would love to go Kimono shopping with you!! I still cannot wear Kimono by myself and no need to buy one, but it is a lot of fun to join in your shopping. Ohsu arcade is very attractive to walk around.
Would you tell me as soon as you begin to plan your trip to Japan? I also like to adjust my schedule accordingly.
Kyoko:
Thank you for the inspiration and kind words! I started volunteering at an arts centre about 2 months ago, It doesn’t involve me playing much, just teaching kids little parts on guitar if they don’t know how to play and helping the more advanced ones write their songs and stuff. Its really kool because I get to hear all kinds of music and work with alot of different people. When I can play I will take the shamisen in and do a little workshop thing :D.
Thanks again! Now I’m off for some ear and brain training 
Liam:
It is great to hear you are teaching children. Future of UK music world must be prosperous!
And I am so happy to hear my small talk could have encouraged you.
Hey everyone!
Taking care of some Bachido business before I head to Florida tomorrow. I’ve sent Masahiro the current list of Bachido members who wish to represent Bachido at the Hirosaki tournament.
Kyle Abbott
Masahiro Nitta
Kevin Kmetz
Grant Reimer
Anne Liljedahl
Patrick Deaton
Josh Davila
Shamimaster Toshi
Jamie Low (if available)
Jonathan Tarajcak
Kyoko Senga
Norm Nakamura (Has yet to respond, but I’m sure will 
)
Ortjo Nieminen (pending funding)
If your name isn’t on here, or would like it to be on here, let me know! 
The more people, the better!
Oh, I don’t think I ever gave my age. I’m 25 now, but I’ll be turning 26 in March, 2013. So… 26, I guess?
oh ye
Same for me ( if i get to go)
Age 20
Awesome! Thanks for your ages, Jamie and Ortjo!
Btw, are we all down for having shirts with our respective nation’s flag on the front breast? (across from the Bachido half-mon) I’ll be printing shirts for everybody, so I want to make sure we’re all cool with that.
Kyle: I think it is a good idea to have nation’s flag, but I am sorry I do not understand the meaning of “down for having” , all of my English dictionaries do not have the expression.
Could you rephrase it in simple English? Sorry!
It’s awesome! We are so many!!! Cool!
How many of you are up for a road trip from Tokyo up to Hirosaki?
Kyle: I think the t-shirt idea is great! Go for it!
Kyoko-san: “are you down for XXXing…” means “are you okay with XXXing” or “is it acceptable to you to XXX…” So, for instance, “Is everyone down for [having/eating] tonkatsu tonight?” would be asking “Is it okay with everybody if we have/eat tonkatsu tonight?” (The part I showed in [ ] is optional. So it would have also been correct to say “Is everyone down for tonkatsu tonight”?)
Is that clearer?
Linda san! Thank you for explaining the meaning and how to use the English phrase. Bachido has such a good English teacher, too.
Kyle, I am perfectly down for having Bachido flag T shirt.
Ryoukai!!
Kyle Abbott
Masahiro Nitta
Kevin Kmetz
Grant Reimer
Anne Liljedahl
Patrick Deaton
Josh Davila
Shamimaster Toshi
Jamie Low (if available)
Jonathan Tarajcak
Kyoko Senga
Norm Nakamura (Has yet to respond, but I’m sure will
Ortjo Nieminen (pending funding)
I’m pleased to announce that we have potentially two more Bachido members joining us for this grand event!
The lovely Marina (of Ronin Taiko, who’s also learning shamisen)
Jeremiah Williams (who is studying tsugaru shamisen under Daijou Kazuo)
The ranks keep building!!
Oh my ¥&@:;/¥ God!
Epic! This list is epic already! I need to contact Gareth Burns! Last time I spoke with him he said he was totally down to join in the bachido group next year!
Oh snap!! That would be awesome!! I didn’t know if he would, as he’s also involved in Shibutani san’s team performance.
Awe~some!! Shoot him a message bro!!!
Yeah I talked to him about that too. Basically I think I’ll have to drive out to Aiya some night when Shibutani San is there and ask him if he is down to have Gareth join our group (haha, Kyoko san’s new English phrase) Gareth and I discussed the best way would be to tell him that we are a one time per year (so far?) group and have no intention of creating a group for stealing Gareth away etc.